Electric switch



3' Sheets-Sheet 1 ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Jan. 12, 1945 D. D. BEVERIDGE,JR

y May zo, 1947.

May 20, W47. D., n. EEWWDGE, JR

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Jan. l2, 19% f5 Sheets-Sheet 2 NTUE May 20, 1947D. D. BEvERxDGE, JR

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Jan. l2, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented May 20,1947 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFfQ.

. ELECTRIC SWITCH David D. Beveridge, Jr., Boston, Mass.

The primary object of the present invention is the production of anespecially simple and very compact, shock-resistant switch which may bemanufactured economically and operated eiliciently, notwithstanding anyhard usage to which 6 Claims.

` it may be subjected.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the detailed descriptionof the particular embodiment thereof selected tc illustrate theprinciple underlying the same. l

The invention consists of the various parts and combinations of partshereinafter more fully described and dened by theappended claims.

' In the accompanying drawings: y Figure l is a central longitudinalsection taken ontherline. l-| of Fig. 2 of a switch embodyingmyinvention, certain parts being shown in elevation.. Y. y

. Fig. 2 is a transverse-section taken on the line 2 4 ofrie. 1.- Fig. 3is anelevationof the left-hand end of the switch mechanism shown in Fig.4.

Fig. 4 is .a longitudinal section taken on the l irregularline 4`4`ofFig. 3.

ofthe left-hand end ofthe spindle means, a side view ,of said spindlemeans, and an elevation oi' the righthand end of said spindle means.

Figs. ll, 12, and 13, are,.respectively, an elevation of the left-handend otheinertia wheel.

a side elevation o1' the same. and an elevation of the right-hand end ofsaid wheel. v

Fig. 14 is a side view of my improved switch partly cut away to show theincorporation therein of telephonie apparatus.

Fig. 15 is a similar view showing the incorporration in said switch ofan electric light bulb.

Figs. -15 are drawn on a smaller scale than Figs. l-4. Figs. 1617, and18 are explanatory diagrams. y k

Fig. 19 is an exploded view showing the relation of the several partsmaking up the switch illustrated in Fig. 1.

In the particular drawings selected for more fully illustrating myinvention and the principle underlying the same, such drawings beingillustrative, merely, and not restrictive, 20 is a hous- ApplicationJanuary l2, 1945, Serial No. 572,454

., (ci. 200e-4) ing of insulating material for enclosing the switchmechanism, and 2| is a closure forthe same suitably attached thereto andhousing the various wires that are connected to the stationary switchcontact members.

Enclosed within the housing is a stationary spindle 22 rigldh' securedin the -bottom portion of the housing in any suitable manner, as by thescrew 23. Mounted on said spindle for rotational and axial movement, isa plunger means comprising, inthe present instance, a push button 24,the forward portion ofwhich is enclosed within a sleeve' 25,.the forwardend of said sleeve being provided with a plurality of internallyprojecting and uniformly spaced stop members 28, herein shown as threein number (Fig. 6). The spindle is provided intermediate its ends withtwo discs 21, 28, one or both of which may be integral with the spindleor separate therefrom and suitably secured thereto. The rearward face ofthe stop members 28 lof the sleeve abut the forward face of the disc 21and thereby limit lthe outward movement of the plunger means. The disc281s provided with one or more stop members 29 extending outwardly, andherein shown as three in number (Fig. 8). The spindle 22,

` with the discs 21, 28. rigidlysecured thereto or .31, of unequaldiameter.

else integral therewith, is hereinafter called the spindle means. l y

Also mounted for rotational andaxial movement on the spindle meansrearwardly ofthe disc 28,vis an inertia wheel-.comprising two discs 30,K The forward face of the disc 30 is disposed for ccf-operation with thestop members 26 of the plunger means and when the switch is in circuitopening position. there is a small gap between said disc kand said stopmemb'er. Thei'disc 3| is provided with outwardly projecting teeth 32(Fig. 13) having substantially the samel shape as the stop members 29 ofthe spindle means.

In normal or circuit opening position, the stop members 29 and the teeth3 2 are in alignment, as are also the arcuate grooves or spaces 23, 36,between the stopmembers 25 `and the teeth 32. respectively (Fig. '1). Incircuit opening position, the stop members 26'of the plunger means arein engagement with the respective stop members 29 carried by the spindlemeans and, as indicated in Fig. 8, the-plunger means may ce rotatedaxially through an arc equal' to approximately one-half the arc lyingbetween each pair of stop members 29, i. e., the arc 332-33.

In circuit opening position, the teeth 532 are in engagement with thestop members 26 of the 'casarse plunger means and, as indicated in Fig.13, the

. plunger means is free to rotate in a clockwise direction (fromthe-aspect of one viewing the outer end of the push button) throughabout onehalf the arc between each'pair of teeth 32 without rotating theinertia wheel. When the stop member 26 has moved in a clockwisedirection to the face u" of the stop member 29, it will -be abuttingsaid face 33" and also the face 34" of the teeth 32. and as the spindlemeans is stationa'ry. further clockwise motion of the plunger means`will be arrested. A l

Means are provided for reeasably coupling the inertia wheel to thespindle means, and, in the present instance, this is accomplished bythelati.` eraliy extending pins 35, herein shown as three in number,projecting forwardly from the disc Il for co-cperation with the holes.38 disposedin the rearward face oi the disc 28. In circuit openingposition, the inertia wheel is clutched to the spindle means (Fig'jda'nd Fig. 16), and in circuit closing position, said pins abut the faceof the disc 28 (Figs. l'l and 18). When the inertia wheel is uncoupledfrom the spindle means. the switch, being in circuit closing position,the clockwise rotation of the plunger means will move the inertia wheelin a clockwise direction and certain resilient means, hereinafterdescribed, will move the wheel outwardly (rearwardly) and eiect thereclutching of the wheel and spindle means.

To effect axial outward movement of the a end of said spring resting inthe groove 38 in the rearward end of the button (Fig. 5), and the other,in the groove 39, inthe outer face of the disc-.11. The spring 3lopposes the inward axial movement of the plunger means and at all timesurges the rotary movement of said plunger means about the spindle meansin a counterclockwise direction. When the plunger means is turnedclockwise to reset the switch to circuit opening position, ashereinafter described, and then released. said spring will restore theplunger means to its original position with the stop 28 resting againstthe face 33' of the stop members 2i of the spindle means, and againstthe face Il' of the teeth 32 of the inertia wheel. A compoundtorsion-compression spring 40 is employed to resist the inward axialmovement of the inertia wheel and to cause a rotary movement of thelatter about the spindle means in a counterclockwise direction upon theuncoupling ofthe inertia wheel from the disc 28 of the spindle means.

The rearward torsion end of the spring 40 rests in the groove 4i of thespindle means, and the other end thereof is disposed in the groove 42 inthe inner or rearward face of the disc 30. When further assembled inhousing 20., the rearward torsion end of spring 40 will be guided bygroove 4i of the spindle to be disposed into groove 42' of housing 20.

The inward (forward) face of the inertia wheel is provided withresilient contact fingers I3, of any suitable construction and material,said nngers, in the present instance, being shown as stamped out of anannulus 43'. suitably secured to the inward face' of the inertia wheelby the pins 44 taking into correspondingly spaced holes in said annulusand headed thcreover. Disposed for co-operation with said contactfingers are a corresponding number o'f studs 45, shown. in the presentinstance, as molded into the bottoni of said housing, to which studs areelectrically connected in any 'suitable'manner the wires 46 of thecircuits to be controlled. In the present instance, six such wires areshown. one being a ground wire, and the others each forming'one side ofone ofthe five circuits which are opened and closed by the switch.:While the number and nature of the circuits are quite im material, inthe present instance, the six circuits shown for illustrative purposes,merely, may control any suitable electro-responsive devices, audibleorvisual. The usual hospital setup at the present time is as follows:

A buzzer is located in the nurses rest room and four signal lights arelocated, respectively, at the nursess duty station, the nurses dietkitchen. one in the hall outside the ward room door, and one in thewardroom beside "the ward patients bed.

In circuit opening position, five of the contact fingers rest underslight tension on the bottom of the housing,"as" indicated vat 43" inFig. 2. The sixth iinger 43"', whichfcontlols the circuit of an audiblesignal, such as a buzzer,"is`ar ranged for co-operation with one of thestuds 45 and is slightly spaced away therefrom.v When the plunger meansis pressed inwardly,-the sixth finger will make contact with itslco-operating stud and close the Acircuit of the buzzer, or otheraudible signal device.' By pressingthe plunger means inwardly, theinertia wheel is unclutched from the spindlemeans, as aforesaid, and iisrotated through a small arc in a counterclockwise dinectionpashereinafter more fully described. Five of the spring fingers are broughtinto 'cooperation with` the respective studs and placed underincreasedtension by virtue of the change in the axial position of therotarywheel caused by the pins 35 which, in circuit closing position.abut the inward face of the disc Zlof the spindle means, and are lockedin such position by the spring 40 which at all times exerts acounterclockwise and axial outward force on the inertia wheel.

The sixth and shorter spring linger, however, breaks contact with itsco-operating studupon the release of the plunger means due to thecompression eie'ct of said spring 40 which opposes the inward axialmovement of the inertia wheel.

When the switch is in circuit closing position, the plunger means may bedepressed repeatedly to open and close the audible signal circuit, thesixth finger making contact with its Stud only when the plunge; means isdepressed,'and moving away from said stud when the plunger means isreleased, the spring 40 normally resisting the inward axial movement ofthe inertia wheel to which all the spring fingers are secured.4

The spacing of the plunger means from the spindle means is such that,with the exception of said sixth spring finger, no direct action on anyspring finger by the plunger means is possible when the switch is incircuit closing position. Such spacing is shown at Il between the inwardend of the head of the push button 2l and the outer end of the spindle;at Il, between the inwe' i surface oi the push button iiange of theplunger means and the outer end of the housing; and at 49, between theinward end of said push button and the ouer face of the disc 2l. Tosecure the proper relative position of tha placed in the housing. asindicated, to view a Y marking (not shown) on the flange 30 of theinertia wheel, said marking being so arranged that it will be under saidwindow when the switchis in circuit closing position.

As indicated in Fig. v15, a lamp 53 may lbe inserted in the closure 2|and connected to the contact members in such .manner that it, will belighted when the switch is in circuit closing po# sition.

If desired, telephone apparatus may be inserted in the closure 2| landthe button perforated, as shown at 55. to enable the user ofthe switchto communicate with a' person at a distance, for example, a personlocated in the room' in which the audible signall device is placed.

(Fig. 14).

The switch may conveniently be assembled as follows:

The spring 31 is placed in the cylindrical cavity in the rearward faceof the button 24 (Figs. 4 and 5), onel torsion end thereof resting inthe groove 38 tangential to said cavity. The sleeve 25 is then placedover the spindle discs 21, 28, with the stop members 26 of said sleevedisposed in the recesses 33, cut in the disc 28, between the stopmembers 29 thereof. The right-hand end of the spindle 22 is theninserted in the central longitudinal bore of the button; the othertorsion end of the spring 21 let intothe groove 39 in the spindle disc21 and the sleeve moved farther to the right (Fig. 4) until the forwardface of the stop members 28 abut the rearward face of the disc 21. Thebutton is then turned in a clockwise direction to preload said springandthen the sleeve is secured rigidly to the button in any suitablemanner, as by deformation or crimping.

The contact nger ring 43" is then secured to the disc 30 of the inertiawheel, which comprises the discs 30 and 3|, by the pins 44, the ends of'which project through holes in said ring spaced correspondingly withsaid pins and the ends of the latter are then peened over the ring, or,in any other suitable manner, said ring may be secured to said disc 30.

The spring is then placed over the left-hand end of the spindle, onetorsion end of said spring being let into the groove 42 of the inertiawheel disc 30. The spring is then turned counterclockwise from theaspect of one viewing the switch from a pointl to the right of thebutton 24 until the other torsion arm is parallel with the dat of thespindle, whereupon the spring is compressed by forcing it forwardlyuntil the other torsion arm thereof takes into the groove 4| cut intothe spindle at the rearward end of said fiat (Figs. 1, 3, and 9).

This completes the assembly of the preassembled switch mechanism (Fig.4). This assembly is then inserted into the right-hand end of thehousing 2U, in such manner that the flattened end portion 5U of thespindle mates with the corresponding flattened portion 5| of theinterior wall groove 42' of housing 20 co-operatlng with groove 42 ofdisc 30, prevents g 40 from 'unwinding from its preloaded torsionposition.

The screw 23 is then inserted through the lefthand end of housing 20 andscrewed into the lefthand end of the spindle to hold the preassembledswitch mechanism and housing ,togethen The several wires are thenconnected to their respective binding posts 45 and the closure 2| isscrewed to the casing 20.

-The operation of the switch, referring to Figs. 16, l'l,V and. 18 whichare fragmentary developments of the discs 21, 28, 30 and 3|, withcertain co-operative adjunct's indicated diagrammatically. is asfollows:

When the switch is in circuit opening position (Fig. 16), a stop member26 (assuming for simpicityof explanation, only one of the co-operatingmembers shown in triplicate in Figs. 6. 8, and

, 13) on the plunger means rests on the surfaces 33 oi the spindle meansand 34 ofthe inertia wheel, thereby permitting the rotation of stopmember 26 in a clockwise direction against the torsional force of thespring 31 through the arc 33. 33, and the arc 34', 34", in the annulargrooves 33 and 34, which, as aforesaid, are in alignment, as are thestop member 29 of the spindle means and the tooth 32 of the inertiawheel (Fig. '1).

The pin 35 on the inertia wheel is disposed in the hole 36 of thespindle means. The spring 40 is urging the inertia wheel outwardly andmaintaining the parts in the position shown in Fig. 16.

The spring 31 .is urging the plunger means outwardly and maintaining theparts in the position shown in Fig. 4.

By pressingr the plunger means inwardly, the

stop member 26, acting against the flange 30 of the inertia wheel,forcesthe latter inwardly (Fig. 17), and the inertia wheel is movedaxially to such an extent that the pin 35 is forced out of its 'hole 36,whereupon the torsion spring 40, which at all times urges the inertiawheel in a counterclockwise direction, gives to said'wheel a rotarymovement in a counterclockwise direction, with the result that the toothmember 32 is forced against the stop member 28. which is restrained by astop member 28 of thespindle means from moving in a counterclockwisedirection. In other words, the counterclockwise face 34" of a toothmember 32 rests against the clockwise face of `the stop 'member '26. Thespring fingers are thus brought to rest on their respective studs 45,and are maintained in such position by the oompression action of thespring 40, the pins 35 remaining against the inward face of the disc 28of the spindle means.

Immediately upon placing the switch in circui closing position, thecompression action of the spring 31 will restore the plunger means toits normal axial position, thereby opening the circuit of the audiblesignal device, and such circuit may be closedA repeatedly by pressingand releasing the push button.

'I'he switch may be reset to normal or circuit opening position byrotating the push button in a clockwise direction. Ii' the switch isused in a hospital signalling system, a nurse or attendant responding toa call madefby a patient, will reset the switch to normal position byrotating the plunger means in a clockwise direction through the arc33-33" (34'34), whereupon the plunger means is immediately returnedcounterclockwise -by spring 31 to its normal position, shown in. Figs.8, 13, and 16.

Fig. 18 shows the position oi' the parts when the resetting operationhas almost, but not quite, been completed. The co-operating faces of thestop members 29 and the teeth 31 are still separated by the length ofthe pin 35, although the push button is maintained in its outermostposition by the compression spring 31, and therefore the stop member 26thereof is no longer in contact with the disc 30 of the inertia wheel.Further clockwise rotation of the plunger means from the position shownin Fig. 18, will bring the counterclockwise boundaries 33', 34', of theannular grooves 33, 3l, into alignment, that is to say, the annulargrooves 33. 3l, will be in alignment and the pin 35 will be iorced bythe spring into the hole 36, whereupon the inertia Wheel will resume itsnormalv position shown in Fig. 16 and all circuits will be quicklybroken, except that of the audible signal device which, as above stated,was broken when the inward pressure on the push button was released'. Assoon as pin 35 enters its hole, the operator releases the button 24which immediately is snapped back to its normal position, shown in Figs.1 and 4, and the other rotary parts will resume their normal positions,-

as shown in Figs. 8, i3 and 16.

Having thus described illustrative embodiments of my inventionwithout,.however, limiting the same thereto, what I claim and desire tosecureby Letters Patent is:

1. An electric switch comprising in combination, a housing, stationaryspindle means disposed within said housing, rotatably and axiallymovable plunger means mounted for rotational and axial movement on saidspindle means, an inertia wheel mounted for rotational and axialmovement on said spindle means, a stop member carried by said plungermeans, a co-operating stop member carried by said spindle' means, meanscarried by said inertia wheel for engaging the stop member carried bysaid plunger means for rotative movement of said wheel by said plungermeans, means for releasably coupling said inertia wheel to said spindlemeans, resilient means opposing the inward axial movement of saidplunger means and urging a rotary movement of said plunger means aboutsaid spindle means in a given sense, other resilient means opposing theinward axial movement of said inertia wheel and causing a rotarymovement of said inertia wheel about said. spindle means in the samesense as the aforesaid rotary movement of the plunger means upon theuncoupling of said ,inertia wheel from said spindle means, a contactmember carried by said inertia wheel, and a co-operating stationarycontact member carried by said housing.

2. An electric switch comprising in`combination, a housing, stationaryspindle means disposed within said housing, rotatably and axiallymovable plunger means mounted ior rotational and axial movement on saidspindle means, an inertia wheel rotatably mounted on said spindle means,co-operating clutch means carried by said spindle means and said inertiawheel, resilient means opposing the inward axial movement of said'plunger means and urging a rotary movement of said plunger means aboutsaid spindle means in a given sense, other resilient means opposing theinward axial movement oi the inertia wheel and causing a rotary movementof said inertia wheel about said spindle in the same sense as theaforesaid rotary movement of said plunger means upon the disengagementoi' said inertia wheel from said spindle means, means limiting therotational arc of said plunger means, and co-operating 5- contactsconstructed and arranged to be opened and closed vby the rotationalmovement of said inertia wheel.

3. An electric switch comprising in combination, a spring actuatedrotary contact member, a co-operatlng stationary contact member,rotatably and axially movable plunger means, locking means lformaintaining said rotary contact member in circuit opening position, andmeans actuated by the axial movement of said plunger means for releasingsaid locking means.

4. An electric switch comprising in combination, a spring actuatedrotary contact member, a cooperating stationary contact member,rotatably and axially movable plunger means, locking means formaintaining said rotary contact member in circuit opening position,means actuated by the axial movement oi said plunger means ior releasingsaid locking means, and means actuated by the rotary movement of saidplunger means for resetting the rotary contact member in circuit openingposition.

5. An electricswitch comprising in combination, a rotary contact member,a torsion-compression spring associated with said rotary contact memberfor moving 4the same rotatably or axially, rotatably and axially movableplunger means, a torsion-compression spring associatedA with saidplunger means for opposing the inward axial movement thereof andqurginga rotary movement oi' the same, locking means to maintain said rotarycontact member in circuit openforce of the torsion-compression springasso-' ciated therewith to restore said rotary contact member to circuitopening position.

6. An electric switch comprising in combination, a housing, stationaryspindle means disposed within said housing, a rotary contact membermounted on 'said spindle means, spring contact ilngers carried by saidcontact member, rotatably and axially. movable plunger means mounted onsaid spindle means, locking means for maintaining said rotary contactmember in circuit opening position, and means actuated by the axialmovement of said plunger means for releasing said locking means, oneinward surface of said plunger means when in circuit opening positionbeing spaced from said spindle means suiliciently to prevent directaction on said spring iingers by said plunger means when the latter` isin circuit closing position.

DAVID D. BEVERIDGE, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille ofthis patentz' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number D claimer 2,420,768.Dam'd D.Beveridge, J Boston, Mass. ELECTRIC SWITCH. Patent dated May 20, 1947.Disclaimer filed June 15, 1951, by the assignee, I

National Pneumatic 00., I fr e.

Hereby enters this disclaimef.` to claims 3 and 4 of said patent.

[Oficial Gazette Augus' 7, 1.951.]

Disclaimer 2,420,768.-Dam'd D. Beveridge, J T., Boston, Mass. ELECTRICSWITCH. Patent dated May 20, 1947; Disclaimer filed June 15, 1951, bythe assignee, l

National Pnewnatz'c 00. I m.

Hereby enters this disclaiinlew to claims 3 and 4 of said patent.

[Oficial Gazette Augus 7, 1.951.]

